'One hell of an athlete': All Blacks excitement machine back from horror injury
Updated . First published at
Cam Roigard's return from a nasty knee injury was the biggest talking point of an otherwise settled All Blacks squad named to tour the northern hemisphere.
The Hurricanes halfback was arguably the best player in Super Rugby Pacific before he ruptured his patella tendon playing against the Highlanders in March.
But the 23-year-old confirmed his successful rehabilitation with an authoritative two try performance for Counties Manukau against Manawatu in the NPC on Saturday.
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"He played well, didn't he?" All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said after naming Roigard in his squad of 36.
"Straight into it. One hell of an athlete, he is. We were just impressed with his instinctive play and the quality of his pass. He took a couple of opportunities, scored a few tries.
"He's some competitor. We're just pleased. We just know how hard he's worked."
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Cam Roigard of New Zealand breaks away of Cobus Reinach of South Africa. Getty
Roigard has replaced Noah Hotham in the only change from Robertson's Rugby Championship squad.
He will compete with TJ Perenara and Cortez Ratima for gametime in Tests against Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy.
The gruelling tour kicks off in Yokohama on October 26.
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"It's a competitive position, halfback. It's one of the tougher positions to pick," Robertson said.
The first year Test coach faced questions about his decision to include Perenara and former captain Sam Cane, who will both take up contracts in Japan next year.
Hotham and Peter Lakai were both worthy, and much younger, alternatives.
TJ Perenara of New Zealand acknowledges the crowd as he departs the field. Getty
"It was always a balance," Robertson told reporters in Christchurch.
"Having experience, guys that are Test fit, balance of leadership, and what it takes to win up north.
"When you looked at it, they've got a lot of those qualities.
James Slipper of the Wallabies is congratulated by Scott Robertson. Getty
"They're in a Test team playing good footy still, it was a really important part of it. And they can build, they are a big part of helping the next players come through and building for the future."
The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup but lost the Rugby Championship trophy to South Africa last month.
Meanwhile, 10 players with Test experience were named in a All Blacks XV squad to play against Munster and Georgia next month.
Clayton McMillan of the Chiefs will coach the team.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD: Scott Barrett (c), Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a
ALL BLACKS XV SQUAD: Xavier Numia, George Dyer, Saula Ma'u, Marcel Renata, George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Kurt Eklund, Bradley Slater, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Hoskins Sotutu, Oliver Haig, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Dallas McLeod, Kiniviliame Naholo, Emoni Narawa, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson
